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Exploring the influence of pet ownership on the mental health and well-being of at-risk children and youth in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2026.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613834577969152 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Hancke, Petri |
| author2 | Coetzee, Bronwyne |
| author_browse | Coetzee, Bronwyne Hancke, Petri |
| author_facet | Coetzee, Bronwyne Hancke, Petri |
| author_sort | Hancke, Petri |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/136052 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:42:26.594Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/136052 Exploring the influence of pet ownership on the mental health and well-being of at-risk children and youth in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Hancke, Petri Coetzee, Bronwyne Van den Berg, Estelle Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Psychology. Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. Hancke, P. 2026. Exploring the influence of pet ownership on the mental health and well-being of at-risk children and youth in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/3da10693-5d13-49f4-b8b7-85118521c5ca Introduction. Mental health conditions (MHCs) among children and young people (CYP) are a major public health concern. In low- and middle-income countries like South Africa, factors such as poverty, crime, and environmental degradation disproportionately increase CYP's risk of MHCs. Limited access to mental health services means only one in ten receive adequate support. Consequently, there is a pressing need for innovative, and contextually relevant approaches to support mental health and well-being among CYP. While early intervention efforts are growing and promising, they are mostly small pilot studies, leaving gaps in understanding what protects mental health in CYP. Evidence suggests that dog companionship can promote emotional regulation, empathy, and social connection by providing unconditional support and companionship. Together, these factors have shown to be protective of mental health. However, little is known about pet companionship in resource-limited settings like semi-rural KwaZulu-Natal. This study explored how at-risk children in South Africa experience and make sense of their relationships with pet dogs and how these may support mental health and well-being. The research was guided by the thriving through relationship (TTR) theory. Methods. Twenty-two participants, aged 7-14 years, were recruited for semi-structured interviews at an NGO, Funda Nenja, based in a semi-rural area of KwaZulu-Natal. Additionally, the study incorporated observations during NGO gatherings, a focus group discussion among the NGO staff, and letters written by the children addressing their dogs to obtain an in-depth understanding of the relationship. This data was transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, facilitated by computer-assisted software, Atlas.ti. Findings. Overall, through the lens of the TTR theory five themes were identified each with various sub-themes that provided insight on the relationship between children and their dogs, as well as their experiences at Funda Nenja, the NGO. The themes are: (1) Children’s environmental context, (2) Relationship characteristic of the companionship (3) Dogs provision of emotional, social, and psychological support (4) Centrality of dogs in children’s lives, and (5) Funda Nenja’s influence on CYP lives. Children viewed their dogs as family, and bonds were fostered through care responsibilities and joint participation in leisure activities. They described their dogs as sources of comfort, reducing negative and nervous thoughts through play, care and physical affection. Funda Nenja allowed for training, support, and connection, offering a weekly routine that boosted self-esteem and reduced risky behaviour. Discussion. As stipulated by the TTR theory, social support is provided by significant others who possess supportive characteristics applicable to the lives of those receiving support, in this instance the children. The children in the present study experienced social, emotional, and psychological support due to their relationship with their pet dog. Through the companionship, the pet dogs provided a close-loving relationship centred around trust, respect, and emotional comfort. Children reported that, due to their pet’s emotional attunement and consistency, they experienced stress relief, enhancements in self-esteem, and mood regulation. Furthermore, the children explained that shared care practices with friends and family allowed for improved connections in human relationships. Although limitations included the dogs' aggression towards other humans, increased home orientation and pet loss, the education and support provided by Funda Nenja enabled the children to forge meaningful bonds with their pets, often referring to them as they would significant others. These findings further underscore the vital importance of investigating dog ownership as a potential preventative strategy for at-risk children in low- and middle-income countries. Masters 2026-04-21T09:55:01Z 2026-04-21T09:55:01Z 2026-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/136052 en Stellenbosch University 182 page : ill. application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Hancke, Petri Exploring the influence of pet ownership on the mental health and well-being of at-risk children and youth in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title | Exploring the influence of pet ownership on the mental health and well-being of at-risk children and youth in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_full | Exploring the influence of pet ownership on the mental health and well-being of at-risk children and youth in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the influence of pet ownership on the mental health and well-being of at-risk children and youth in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the influence of pet ownership on the mental health and well-being of at-risk children and youth in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_short | Exploring the influence of pet ownership on the mental health and well-being of at-risk children and youth in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_sort | exploring the influence of pet ownership on the mental health and well being of at risk children and youth in rural kwazulu natal south africa |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/136052 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hanckepetri exploringtheinfluenceofpetownershiponthementalhealthandwellbeingofatriskchildrenandyouthinruralkwazulunatalsouthafrica |